BBcode Usage Guide (in Q&A form)

Q1: What is BBcode?

A1:
BBCode is an abbreviation for Bulletin Board Code, the lightweight markup language used to format posts in many message boards. It is also called forum codes. The available tags are usually indicated by rectangular brackets surrounding a keyword, and they are parsed by the message board system before being translated into a markup language that web browsers understand, usually HTML or XHTML. (reference.com)

In other words it's the codes that help you make links, make photos appear, make words become BOLD or ITALICIZED, etc.

EXAMPLE:
a- I really need your help!
b- She was reading Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
c-

Q2: Ohhh, ok, I get it. But I don't know the codes where can I read/learn them?

A2:
Easy, everytime you're writing or editing your posts you will have the tools bar to help you.

Tool Bar::::::::

Q3: Ohh!.... But what do they all do? How should I use them?

A3:
There is an easy way to know their names, just put your mouse arrow on each one and below you will see the name of the action and the actual code you will need to use it.

See :::::::::

Q4: oooo ahhh. Well? Will you show me how to use them?

A4: Yeah, of course. You already are probably playing around with them but I'll show you some basics.

First of all: using the Code code is so important that I want you to learn it before anything else. (Sounds funny right? I don't know what else to call it.) Because it cancels all codes inside the brackets. Let me show you.

EXAMPLE:
With "Code code":

Code:

He is [b]such[/b] a hottie! look at his picture!
[img]http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b133/lornarocker/Bands%20Resized/maynard1.jpg[/img]

Without "Code code":
He is such a hottie! look at his picture!


By using this I can show you what the codes should look like to get the right result.

----OKAY, SO NOW THE FUN STUFF----

I'm going to write this sentence: "My dog is the best dog in the world." Using Font size: Large, Font color: indigo, and I'm going to add a link to the word world. Also, I'll add a picture of my dog below the text.

My dog is the best dog in the world.

------- --------
And now for the code:

Code:

[color=indigo][size=18]My dog is the best dog in the [url=http://cdn.mapquest.com/mqatlasenglish/world]world[/url].[/size][/color]
[img]http://www.bestweekever.tv/bwe/images/2007/10/7%20NINJA%20DOG.JPG[/img]

Q5: Oooo seems hard, but you make it seem so easy. My last question is: Why do you repeat the code but with a slash?

A5:
Good question. You must always close each code and you do it with the slash before the word.

Code:

[b]HELLO![/b]

If you DO NOT close it, it will affect other words that you might not want it to.

EXAMPLE:
Closed:
You are real sweet you sweetie-pie! See you around!

Without closing:
You are real sweet you sweetie-pie! See you around!

And it would go on and invade my whole post until the end. (but it doesn't because I closed it after "around!")

Well, I think that's about it.
If I'm missing anything or If I you still have a question feel free to post it!

-Lorna